What Is A True Christian

Dan Corner

What Is A True Christian Examined

What is a true Christian? Do you know the Biblical answer? In other words, are you a true Christian or just a church-goer? Please don't think they are the same. The true Christian life is much different than just going inside a church building!
Remember this relevant truth from the Lord about salvation and what is a true Christian:

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a true Christian is one who gets dressed up, goes inside a building commonly called a "church" and sits through a sermon! Many that do that every week will go to Hell. Why? They don't have an obedient faith in Christ needed to enter God's Kingdom.

Bible Terms Equated With A True Christian

So how does the Bible describe the true Christian between initial and final salvation? Is his life now, because of grace, one in which he can sit back, relax, pursue the pleasures of this world and even start to live again according to the sinful nature (or flesh) with no possible hindrance to his personal entrance into the kingdom of God? According to the Bible, the true Christian in this life now is:

a soldier in a battle (2 Tim. 2:3,4), a runner in a long distance race (Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 9:24; etc.), a worker in a vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16), a fruit tree required to bear good fruit (John 15:5,6), a self-denying Jesus follower(Lk. 9:23), a manager or steward (Mt. 25:14-30), a witness of Jesus (Acts 1:8, 22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Rev. 2:13), a wrestler against the forces of darkness (Eph. 6:12), in a struggle against sin (Heb. 12:4), an alien-stranger in this world (1 Pet. 1:1, 17; 2:11), and a servant (or slave) of God (Acts 4:29; 1 Thess. 1:9).

Instead of striving to please God to live holy lives, many people who once believed are now lukewarm, drunkards and sexually immoral with some of them thinking they are guaranteed an entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven because of the false teaching of eternal security. Sadly, that "sin gospel" is embraced by most popular teachers of our apostate day and has adversely affected the church worldwide. It is also one of the greatest threats to holiness, which has lead to untold broken homes, criminal acts and many suicides!

Then there is the rampant problem of divorce and remarriage which has resulted with multitudes of illegitimate marriages, with both parties being adulterous (Mt. 5:32; 19:9; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2,3; etc.). Even many pastors, elders and worship leaders in local congregations are adulterous, according to those Scriptures, with no fear of going to an eternal Hell, in spite of the clarity of Scripture (1 Cor. 6:9,10; Eph. 5:5-7; Rev. 21:8; etc.)

What the world needs today are spiritual leaders who, like John the Baptist, will fearlessly declare God's truths without concern of repercussions. Rather than thinking of their own ministries they are to be guards over the eternal souls entrusted to them. But very few seem to be this God fearing. Folks, this is serious! We, our loved ones and friends will be affected throughout all eternity by what we are doing now in this short life. Paul shed his blood at least nine different times and spent years in prison in his battle for eternity. In our day, professing "Christians" spend years of their lives in front of TV as they view things that can spiritually defile them and their loved ones!

Examine Yourself To See If You Are a True Christian

He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice" (Lk. 8:21).

The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4).

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29).

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will giveeternal life (Rom 2:7).

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal 6:8,9).

Are you a true Christian? Are you really part of heaven's family? Please know that MOST people will go to hell (Mt. 7:13,14). Will you be of that number? From the aforementioned, you now know the answer to the question - what is a true Christian. So, are you a true Christian now?